🇬🇧 ADHD Diagnosis in the United Kingdom
The UK presents unique challenges for ADHD diagnosis. Understanding the "Shared Care" route and your "Right to Choose" can help you navigate the system effectively.
Quick Summary
- Best Pathway: Psychiatry-UK or ADHD 360
- Cost: Free (via Right to Choose) or ~£950+ (Private)
- Wait Time: Weeks (Private) vs. Months (Right to Choose)
- Key Point: Right to Choose is England-only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland use different NHS/HSC pathways.
- Key Risk: Paying for a private diagnosis can backfire if your GP refuses Shared Care
The "Shared Care" Route
The UK healthcare system operates on a "Shared Care" model for ADHD treatment. This means:
⚠️ Important Warning
If you pay for a private diagnosis from a random clinic, your NHS GP might refuse to take over your care (Shared Care Agreement), forcing you to pay for expensive private medication forever.
A Shared Care Agreement allows your NHS GP to prescribe medication based on a specialist's diagnosis and treatment plan. This is crucial because:
- • Private medication costs can be £100-£300+ per month
- • NHS prescriptions are significantly cheaper (or free in some areas)
- • Your GP needs to trust the diagnosis and provider
Understanding Right to Choose
What is Right to Choose?
In England, patients have a legal right to choose their mental healthcare provider for ADHD assessments under the NHS. This means you can select a provider like Psychiatry-UK or ADHD 360 for your assessment, potentially reducing waiting times significantly.
Right to Choose applies to England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different systems. Some providers may accept private self-pay patients from anywhere in the UK, but NHS-funded referral routes differ by nation.
How Right to Choose Works
Step 1: Speak to Your GP
Discuss your ADHD concerns with your GP and mention that you'd like to use your Right to Choose to be referred to a specific provider (e.g., Psychiatry-UK or ADHD 360).
Step 2: GP Makes the Referral
Your GP can make the referral to your chosen provider. They should not refuse this request, as it's your legal right. If your GP is unfamiliar with the process, you can provide them with information from the provider's website.
Step 3: Assessment with Provider
Once referred, you'll be assessed by the NHS-contracted provider. This is typically done via video call and is fully funded by the NHS.
Interview Structure in England
As reported by people in the system, the assessment interview in England is often split into two parts:
- Part A: Focuses on determining if ADHD is present (symptom assessment, history, and diagnostic criteria)
- Part B: Evaluates comorbidities to ensure nothing else better explains the symptoms (screening for anxiety, depression, autism, and other conditions)
While the interview is often split into two separate sessions, it can also be conducted as a single comprehensive interview, depending on the provider and individual circumstances.
Step 4: Shared Care Agreement
After diagnosis and initial medication titration, the provider will work with your GP to establish a Shared Care Agreement. This allows your GP to continue prescribing your medication on the NHS.
Key Benefits of Right to Choose
- ✅ Free assessment (NHS-funded)
- ✅ Faster than standard NHS waiting lists
- ✅ Access to NHS-contracted providers
- ✅ Smooth transition to Shared Care
- ✅ No need to pay for private medication long-term
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland: What Changes?
The UK is not a single NHS pathway. England has Right to Choose. Scotland and Wales run devolved NHS systems, and Northern Ireland uses Health and Social Care (HSC). The practical implications are:
- • No Right to Choose equivalent: You generally cannot compel a referral to an England RTC provider.
- • Local service variability: Waiting times and clinic models vary by health board/trust.
- • Shared Care is still the "gotcha": If you go private, confirm your GP practice's Shared Care position first.
Scotland
- Route: Start with your GP - referrals typically go to local adult mental health/ADHD services (or CAMHS for children).
- Key issue: No England-style RTC; access depends on your NHS board pathway and capacity.
- Medication: Prescriptions are generally free in Scotland, but specialist initiation/titration is still the bottleneck.
Wales
- Route: GP referral into NHS Wales pathways (local services vary by health board; CAMHS for children, adult services for adults).
- Key issue: No RTC; waiting lists and thresholds can vary significantly by region.
- Medication: Prescriptions are generally free in Wales, but getting to specialist assessment/titration is the hardest step.
Northern Ireland
- Route: GP referral into HSC pathways (trust-based services; CAMHS for children, adult mental health/ADHD clinics for adults).
- Key issue: No RTC; access and waiting times vary by trust, and adult pathways can be limited.
- Medication: Prescriptions are generally free in Northern Ireland, but specialist capacity is often the constraint.
How to avoid the private-to-NHS trap
- • Ask your GP practice (in writing if possible) whether they will consider Shared Care for ADHD and under what conditions.
- • If you go private, choose a provider with strong documentation (diagnostic interview, evidence of impairment across settings, treatment plan, and follow-up plan).
- • Treat private assessment as a way to access specialist time faster - not as a guarantee your GP will prescribe.
Recommended Providers
Psychiatry-UK
One of the most popular Right to Choose providers. They have NHS contracts and are well-trusted by GPs for Shared Care agreements.
- • NHS-contracted provider
- • CQC registered
- • Accepts Right to Choose referrals
- • Video-based assessments
ADHD 360
Another NHS-contracted provider that accepts Right to Choose referrals. They offer comprehensive ADHD assessment and treatment services.
- • NHS-contracted provider
- • CQC registered
- • Accepts Right to Choose referrals
- • Full assessment and treatment pathway
⚠️ The "Gotcha"
Do not just Google "fast ADHD diagnosis London." If the clinic isn't:
- • CQC registered (Care Quality Commission)
- • NHS-aligned or contracted
- • Recognized by your GP practice
...then your diagnosis is legally valid but practically useless for getting NHS medications. You'll be stuck paying for private prescriptions indefinitely.
Cost & Wait Times
Via Right to Choose
- Cost: Free (NHS-funded)
- Wait Time: Months (but faster than standard NHS list)
- Medication: NHS prescription charges apply
- Best for: Patients who can wait and want NHS care
Private Assessment
- Cost: ~£950+ for assessment
- Wait Time: Weeks
- Medication: Private prescriptions (£100-£300+/month)
- Best for: Patients who need faster access and can afford private care
Important Note
Even if you pay privately, choosing an NHS-contracted provider (like Psychiatry-UK or ADHD 360) increases the likelihood that your GP will accept a Shared Care Agreement later, potentially saving you thousands of pounds in medication costs.
Common Screening Tools Used in the UK
Before your formal assessment, you may encounter these screening tools. These are commonly used by UK healthcare providers and can help you prepare for your evaluation:
DIVA-5 Self-Check
Widely used in the UK and Europe. Based on the comprehensive diagnostic interview used by clinicians.
Take DIVA-5 →AQ-10 (Autism Quotient)
Developed at Cambridge University. Helpful for understanding ADHD/autism overlap, commonly used in UK assessments.
Take AQ-10 →ASRS-6 Short Form
WHO-developed screener used globally. Quick 6-question assessment often used as an initial screening tool.
Take ASRS-6 →All Screening Tools
Explore our complete collection of ADHD and related screening assessments.
View All Screeners →What to Do Next
If You're in England
Ask your GP for a "Right to Choose" referral to Psychiatry-UK or ADHD 360. This is your legal right and should be free.
If your GP is unfamiliar with Right to Choose, you can provide them with information from the provider's website or contact the provider directly for guidance.
If You're in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
Start with your GP and ask for referral to your local ADHD assessment pathway (adult services or CAMHS). Because there's no Right to Choose equivalent, the primary levers are good documentation, persistence, and clarity on your local pathway.
If you're considering private assessment to reduce waiting time, first confirm your GP practice's Shared Care position so you don't get stuck paying privately for medication.
If You Need Faster Access
Consider paying privately with Psychiatry-UK or ADHD 360. While it costs more upfront, their NHS contracts mean your GP is more likely to accept Shared Care later.
Avoid random private clinics that aren't NHS-contracted, as this can lead to expensive private medication costs long-term.
Related Resources
Important Reminder
This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for diagnosis and treatment decisions. Healthcare systems and provider availability may change over time.
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